Grading and ditching machine.



PATENTED NOV. 10, 1903.

T. J. GRAY. GRADING AND DITCHING MACHINE- 7 APPLICATION FILED MAY 22,1903.

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Him s w W No. 743,487. PATENTED NOVJlO, 1903.

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GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE. APPLIUATION FILED MAY 22, 1903.

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N0 MODEL v No. 743,487. PA-TENTED NOV. 10, 1903.

T. J. GRAY.

GRADING. AND DITGEING MAGHINE.

APPLIOA'ITION FILED MAY 22, 1903.

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APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1903.

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T. J. GRAY. GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1903.

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No. 743,437. PATENTED Nov. 10, 1903.

GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE;

APPLIUATIOIT FILED MAY 22, 1903.

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No. 743,487; PATENTED NOV. 10,-190sv 'T. J. GRAY.

GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1903.

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PATENTED NOV. ,10, 1903.

T. J. GRAY. GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION I ILED MAY 22, 1903.

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No. 743,487. PATENTED NOV. 10, 1903. T. J. GRAY.

GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE.

APPLIGATIONTILED MAY 22, 1903.

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ILIIEEIIQ PATENTED NOV. ,10, 1903.

T. J-GRAY. GRADING AND DITOHING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY22, 1903.

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No. 743,487. PATENTED NOV. 10, 1903. T. J. GRAY.

I GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION rmm MAY 22, 1903.

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Jo o -[wewfirw wflwwz i No. 748,487. PATENTED NOV. 10, 1903.

T. J. GRAY.

I GRADING AND DITOHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1903. N0 MODEL. 12 sums-sum 12.

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lhvirnn STATES Fatented November 10, 1968;

PATENT OFFICE.

. THOMAS J. GRAY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO NATIONAL DRILL ANDMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORA- "IION OF WESTVIRGINIA.

GRADING AND DITCHING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 743,487, datedNovember 10, 1 903.

Application filed May 22. 1903. Serial No. 158.258. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. GRAY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Grading and DitchingMachines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to grading and ditching machines involving awheeled carriage having a transversely-arranged inclinedelevatingconveyor and a longitudinally arranged plow-beam suspended atone side of the carriage and provided with a plow which is positioned todeliver the plowed-up soil to the lower end of the elevating-conveyor,the plow-beam being raised and lowered by suitable raising and loweringdevices and being stayed and controlled by fore-and-afttransversely-arranged swinging stay or controlling bars,which havearticulated connections with the plow-beam and the body-frame. EX- piredpatent to H. Vannatta, No. 108,217, October 11, 1870, shows, forexample, a machine of such nature with the elevating-conveyor omitted,while expired patent to Edwards and Durkee, No. 275,614., April .10,1883, shows a machine of. such construction, with an ele- Ivating-conveyer arranged as hereinbefore mentioned.

Objects of my invention are, first, to relieve the pole from draftstrain incident to the back pull or resistance of the plow and totransfer such strain to the evener in opposition to the pull of theteam; second, to cause the plowto run level or horizontal regardless ofits wear, to automatically keep the plow down to its work, and toutilize the draft-chain as a means for thus controlling the plow and forkeeping it down to its work in accordance with the condition of the plowor the soil, or both, as a result of the advancement of the machine anddisposition on the part of the draft-chain to straighten out; third, toprovide improved adjusting means for effecting side tilt on the part ofthe plow and to permit an attendant upon the machine to cause suchtilting adjustment on the part of the plow while the machine is inoperation; fourth, to

w provide ei'ficicnt means forlongitudinall y adjusting the rear stayorcontrolling bar; fifth, to provide improved means for holding theforward stay or controlling bar; sixth, to more effectively free thebelt of the elevatingconveyer from such soil as may get in between itsupper and lower leaves; seventh, to readily free the belt of theelevating-conveyer from such small stones as may find their way betweenits leaves; eighth,to provide certain novel and improved details servingto in crease the general efficiency of ditching and grading machines. r

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a gradingand ditching machine involving my improvements, the elevating conveyerbeing omitted for convenience of illustration. Fig. 2 is a section on avertical plane transversely through the machine at one side of theelevating-conveyor. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the lower portion of themachine, said plan being the result of a horizontal section on a planejust below the platform O shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a vertical section,on a larger scale, through the forward portion of the machine on line 4.4 in Fig. 6. Fig. 4: is a section through the plowbeam at one side ofthe stay-bar L. Fig. 5 is a detail showing a portion of the-circle orfifth-wheel and a coupling link or brace. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of apart of the forward portion of the machine, including the circle orfifth-wheel and the evener. Fig. 7 is a detail showing in plan view aportion of the machine as the result of a horizontal section on line '77 in Fig. 8. prises a portion of the elevating-conveyor, the plow-beam,and the two. stay or controlling bars. Fig. 8 is a section on line 8 8in Fig. '7. Fig. 9 is a detail view illustrating a section on line 9 9in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a detail illustrating a section on line 10 10 inFig. 8. Fig. 11 is a detail view showing, partly in elevation and partlyin side elevation, a portion of the body-frame structure, the twoarticulated stay-bars being shown in crosssection. Fig. 12 is a sectionthrough Fig. 11 on line 12 12. Fig. 13 is a vertical longitudinalsection through a portion of the elevating-conveyer 011 line 13 13 inFig. 14. Fig. 1 1 is a section through Fig. 13 on line 14 14.

This view 00111 Fig. 15 is a section through Fig. 13 on line 15 15. Fig.16 is a detail view showing a portion of the elevating-conveyer in sideelevation with parts broken away and with certain parts in verticalsection, so as to illustrate a device for depressing the marginalportion of the lower leaf of the conveyer-belt. I Fig. 17 is a top planof the portion of the elevating-conveyer shown in Fig. 16 with a portionof the belt broken away. Fig. 18 is a cross-section on line 18 18 inFig. 17. Figs. 19, 20, and 21 are details representing in elevation andtop plan certain-improved devices for operating the chains or cables 1and 2by which the plow-beam is suspended. Fig. 22 is a section takentransversely through a preferred construction of frame for theelevating-conveyer. I Fig. 23 represents a portion of the said frame ofFig. 22 in side elevation.

The machine is connected with a carriage or body frame A, supporteduponfront wheels B and rear wheels B and havinga platform 0, Fig. 2,upon which an attendant can stand for the purpose of adjusting variousmembers of the machine. The longitudinallyextending plowbeam D isarranged at one side of the machine and provided with a plow E. Theplow-beam is suspended by raising and lowering chains 1 and 2, which canbe arranged and operated in any known or desired way. The carriage orwheeled bodyframe also supportsa transversely-arrangedelevating-conveyer G, which can be adjusted in accordance withwell-known principles in any suitable or desired manner, saidelevatingconveyer being arranged with its lower receiving end portionopposite the plow, so as to take the plowed=up soil, the generalarrangement of this elevating-conveyer being best illustrated in Figs. 2and 3. The machine is also provided with a tongue or pole H, which, asshown, for example, in Fig. 6, is connected with a yoke I, having hingeconnections with the front bolster or axle. The draft of the team is'directly taken by an evener K, which is pivotally connected with thetongue or pole by a pivot-bolt 3, Figs. 4 and 6, having its bearings inthe tongue or pole and a strap et thereon, the rear end of said strapbeing also connected with the yoke I by a bolt 5, which likewise servesas a connection between the yoke and the rear end of the tongue or pole.The tongue or pole is also connected with the yoke I byrearwardlydiverging hounds or brace-rods 6. The longitudinally-arrangedplow-beam, which is positioned at one side of the machine and sus pendedby flexible hangers,such as the chains hereinbefore mentioned, is drawnby a draftchain, which converges from the plow-beam forwardly toward themiddle of the longitudinal line of the machine, the oblique line ofdraft on the plow-beam.thus involved being opposed as to any dispositionto laterally shift the plow beam by the controlling or stay bars L and,arranged transversely to the line of progression and having articulatedconnections with the body frame and the plow-beam. These twotransversely-arran ged stay or controlling bars L and 'M are connectedwith the bodyframe at one side of the machine, while at the oppositeside thereof they are connected with the plow beam D. Said stay barshave their jointed or articulated connections adapted to permit them toswing in all desired directions with reference to the several positionsthe plow-beam is caused or permitted to assume during operation, and, asshown, for example, in Figs. 3 and 7, the stay-bars are arranged foreand aft, respectivelythat is to say, the staybar L is arranged forwardand the stay-bar M is arranged in rear of the elevating-conveyer.

The plow is drawn by the draft-chain 0, having its forward end attachedto the forward portionvof the machine and having its rear end attachedto the plow-beam in rear of the stay-bar L, the connection between theplow-beam and the draft-chain being, for example, provided by a staple7, secured to the plow-beam and engaged by the draftchain. As ameans forthus attaching the forward end of the draft-chain its forward endportion comprises a long link 8, Figs. 4 and 6, which extends under theevener K and which is provided at its forward end with a raised roundedbearing portion 9, arranged to bear against the forward side of theevener at a point intermediate ofthe ends of the latter, the point atwhich the link thus bears against the evener being directly forward ofthe pivot-bolt 3, by which the evener is attached. In this way back pullor lag on the part of the plow when the machine is in operation willcause the draft-chain to exert a back pull on the evener, and this backpull, as it may be termed, which is caused by the resistance of theplow, will be met and taken by the pulling strain of the team upon theevener, thereby practically relieving the tongue or pole and itsconnections from undesirable strain. A portion of the draft-chain O isformed by a link 10, arranged to extend under the forward bolster oraxle and maintained midway between the two front wheels by any suitabledevice. As, for example, it mayhave its oblong slot or opening 11adapted to receive the lower end of the pivot or king-bolt 12. By sucharrangement the draft-chain extends obliquely forward to a point belowthe circle 13, and from thence directly forward to a point in advance ofthe evener. The oblique portion of the draft-chain O is adapted toengage the forward stay-bar L with a bearing engagement, whereby suchstay-bar will be maintained in a uniform plane when said portion of thedraft-chain is drawn straight and taut. In order to permit thedraft-chain to thus bear upon the stay-bar L and at the same time allowthe stay-bar to swing laterally-and independently of the draftchainwithout affecting the latter and avoid draft strain directly upon suchstay-bar, the

ICC

draft-chain has a shifting bearing connection with the stay-bar wherebythe stay-bar can swing laterally and independently of the draft-chain.As an exceedingly simple c011- nection for such purpose, the stay-bar Lextends through a link 1401: the draft-chain, as in Figs. 4 and 7, thelink being considerably longer than the width of the stay-bar, so as toallow the latter to have free play independently of the chain. Theconnection between the stay-bar and plow-beam is arranged forup-and-down adjustment. As shown in Figs. 4 and 4, a bracket is boltedto one side of the plow-beam and provided with a pair of spaced verticalflanges 16, each having a series of holes for a pivot-bolt 17, uponwhich one end of the stay-bar L is loosely hungfor example, by an eye18. By this arrangement the pivot-bolt 17 can be vertically adjustedupon the bracket 15 in accordance with requirements, it being observedthat regardless of the vertical adjustment of this pivotal connectionbetween the stay bar and the plow-beam the draft-chain, when drawn taut,will always tend to bring the draft-bar to a uniform level. If, forexample, the pivotal connection between the. stay-bar L and theplow-beam is adjusted upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 4, thedraft upon chain 0 will necessarily further depress the staybar, andthereby depress the plow-beam and plow. In this way the draft-chain willduring operation always tend to assume a uniform level, and hence theextent to which it will hold down the plow will depend upon theadjustment of the connection between the stay-bar L and the plow-beam,and while the stay-bar will be thus held down by the draft chain thedraft will be on the plow-beam and not on the stay-bar.

The rear stay-bar M, with its connections and adjustments, is bestillustrated in Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 10. As therein shown, it comprises achannel-iron or I-beam 19, having one end connected with the plow-beam Dby a swinging bracket or clevis 20. The bracket or clevis 2O embracesand is attached to the plow-beam by a vertical pivot 21, and thestay-bar is attached to the bracket or clevis 20 by a horizontal pivot22. The stay-bar can also have any suitable guide connection with thebracket or elevisas, for example, the latter may have a curved slot 23,formed in the line of a circle about the pivot 22 and adapt- 1 ed toreceive a guide-pin 24 on the stay-bar.

The opposite end portion of the bar 19 en gages in a guide-socket 25,Fig. 10, having a series of holes for a locking-pin 26, and this guidesocket 25 is hinge -conhected with a bearing 27 on one of the standards28 of the body-frame by means of a pintle or' pivot 29. By thisarrangement the stay-bar M can be practically extended or contracted inlength for the purpose of varying the width of the furrow, it being seenthat the bar 19 and the guide-socket 25 practically form two members ofan extensible stay-bar which is at one end hinged or pivoted to thebody-frame and at its opposite end hingeconnected with the plow-beam.

In order to permit an attendant standing upon the platform C tolaterally tilt the plowbeam, the body-frame supports a hand-lever P,Figs. 2 and 8, which can be operated by said attendant thus standingupon the platform and which connects with the plow-beam by anarticulated power-transmitting connection. As best shown in Fig. 8, thelower end of the lever P is fulcrumed upon a bearing 30 on the mainframe, and at apoint above said hearing it is adjustably connected witha slide Q by means of a connecting rod or bar 31. The slide Q is fittedto slide upon and along the stay-bar, as in Fig. 9, and it is in turnconnected with the upper portion of the bracket or clevis 20 by aconnecting rod or bar 32. These connecting bars or' rods 31 and 32 arepivotally connected with the slide Q, the bar 31 being also pivotallyconnected with the hand-lever P and the bar 32 being pivotally connectedwith the bracket or clevis 20. By operating the lever P the bracket orclevis 20 can be tilted about the fulcrum or pivot 22 and independentlyof the stay-bar, and this tilt on the part of said bracket or cleviswill of course laterally tilt the plowbeam and the plow. The lever P canbe locked in any suitable 'wayfor example, by means of a pin insertedthrough one of a series of holes in a bracket 33, Fig. 2, on thebody-frame. In this way the attendant can adjustably tilt the plowwithout getting off the platform. The connecting rods or bars 31 and 32incline downwardly to the slide Q,

to which they are attached, and by this ar-- rangement ample clearanceis afforded-that is to say, when the stay-bar M swings upwardly the bars31 and 32 will not strike overhead portions of the machine. In practicethe pivots for the two stay-bars are what are known as loose pivots, theopenings through which they extend being sufiiciently large to permitlateral play and in effect provideuniversal joints.

As a matter of detail Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate a pair of standards 28and 34, forming a portion of the body-frame and affording supports forthe longitudinal frame or sill 7 portions 35, 36, and 37, which arebolted to said standards. Upright beams or standards 38 and 39 are alsoarranged alongside the standards 34 and secured to the said sillportions, and to the lower end of the upright 39 is bolted aflange-plate 40, affording an upper bearing for a vertical pivot-pin 41for one end of the forward stay-bar L, the portion of the pivot belowsuch stay-bar having its bearing in a cross-brace 42, secured at one endto the standard 34 and at its opposite end secured to a metal brace-bar43. This arrangement involves a strong and com pact construction andalso permits the staybar L to sustain the strain to which it issubjected, it being observed that the bar 43 also serves to rigidlyconnect together the lower end of the standards 28 and 34 and that thespace between these standards affords clearance for theelevatingconveyer G. (Illustrated in Fig. 2.)

Figs. 13, 14, and 15 illustrate a belt-cleaner arranged upon the lowerreceiving end portion of the elevating-conveyer. This beltcleaner Rcomprises an endless chain or narrow belt, such as a link belt 44,arranged transversely to the endless conveying belt or apron S of theelevating-conveyer and trained over a couple of idler-sprockets 45,which are respectively mounted upon opposite sides of the longitudinalframe portion of the elevating-conveyer. The chain or belt 44 isarranged so that its upper leaf passes between the upper and lowerleaves of the conveyerbelt S, While its lower leaf passes under theelevating-conveyer, as best shown in Fig. 15. This belt-cleaner R isadapted to remove soil which may have collected upon the inner face ofthe belt S, and to such end it is provided at intervals with blades orshovels 46, which are adapted and arranged to successively engage theground at a point under the elevating-conveyer, as in Fig. 15. \Vhen themachine as a whole is advanced, its line of advancement will of coursebe transverse to the length of the elevating-conveyer, and hence theengagement of the blades or projections 46 of the belt-cleaner R withthe ground will cause the belt-cleaner to operate after the manner of anendless moving belt. The upper leaf of this belt 44 passes over a shelfor board 47, which is arranged transversely to the length of theelevating-conveyer and secured in any suitable way at its ends toopposite sides of the frame portion of such elevating-conveyer. Thisboard or shelf 47 keeps the upper leaf of belt 44 from sagging and isarranged adjacent to the belt-roll 48, Fig. 13, at the receiving end ofthe elevatingconveyer. Said shelf 47 is provided along one edge with ascraper 49, arranged for scraping from the belt-roll 48 such soil as mayhave collected thereon, and it is provided along its opposite edge witha scraper 50, (preferably a rubber scraper,) arranged to scrape from theinner face of the upper leaf of the conveyer-belt S such soil as mayhave collected thereon, it being observed that in these machines it isvery common for soil loosened up by the plow to find its way in betweenthe upper and lower leaves of the conveyer belt and that when such soilis sticky some of it will adhere to the lower belt-roll 48 and some ofit will adhere to the inner surface of the conveying-belt S. The soilthus scraped from the belt-roll and the conveyer-belt by the scrapers 49and 50 will be deflected onto the upper leaf of the beltcleaner R, whichwill in turn carry such scraped-01f soil along the shelf 47 anddischarge it at one side of the elevating-conveyer.

It also frequently happens in the use of machines of this class thatmatters, such as small stones or gravel and the like, get in between theupper and lower leaves of the elevating-conveyer belt. Figs. 16, 17, and18 illustrate as a means for freeing the elevating-conveyer belt of suchstones or gravel a pair of idler-rolls T, arranged between the upper andlower leaves of the elevating-conveyer belt 8 and supported to revolveabout inclined axes which diverge downwardly and outwardly from themiddle line of the elevating-conveyer. These rolls T are supported fromthe frame of the elevating-conveyer in any suitable way-as,for example,their lower ends can be journaled in bearings on opposite side portionsof the elevatingconveyer frame, while their upper ends can be journaledin bearings on a cross-bar 51, arranged between the upper and lowerleaves of the belt S and secured at its ends to opposite side portionsof the elevating-conveyer frame. These idler-rolls T are arranged todepress the marginal portion of the lower leaf of the belt 8, as bestshown in Fig. 18, whereby such lower leaf of the elevating-conveyer beltwill for a suitable portion of its length sag or slope transversely fromits middle line to its edges, and thereby permit stones and the likecollecting thereon to readily slide off. The rolls T thus described arein point of position higher than the transversely-arranged beltcleanerR-that is to say, they are farther toward the upper delivery portion ofthe elevating-conveyer and are preferably located at what is commonlytermed the upper end of the lower section of bed-frame 0f theelevating-conveyer.

In certain figures-for example, Figs. 1 and 2-devices supported uponstandard 52 and adapted for operating the raising and lowering chains 1and 2 are such as have long been in use in machines of this class. Figs.19, 20, and 21 illustrate as an improvement in such devices a sheave orpulley 53 for the chain or cable 1 and a worm gear device comprising aworm-wheel 54 and a worm 55 engaging the same. The worm-wheel 54 issecured upon one end of a rotary shaft 56, having the sheave 53 securedto its opposite end, the shaft 56 being supported in a bearing 57 on ayokeshaped bracket 58, which is in turn secured upon the standard 52.The device for operating chain or cable 2 is old and common and need notbe described.

Figs. 22 and 23 illustrate a preferred construction of frame for theelevating-conveyer. As therein shown, the said frame has each of itslongitudinal sides constructed with anglebars 59 and 60, fitted andsecured together, as in Fig. 22, the angle-bars 60 being connected withlongitudinally arranged upper anglebars 61 by means oftransversely-arranged metal straps 62. \Vooden side boards 63 are boltedto these straps 62 to deaden the noise incident to the operation of thebelt, and the cross-braces 64 have their downwardly-extending endportions bolted to the angleplates 60. The lower leaf of the belt isalso preferably supported at one or more points end portions andarranged nearthe rolls T, (shown in Figs. 16, 17, and 18,) the object ofthus tapering the rolls V being to permit rolls T to depress themarginal portions of the lower leaf of the belt S.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In a ditching and grading machine, awheeled body-frame; an evener; asuspended plow-beam provided with aplow; and adraftchain attached to and connecting the plowbeam with theevener and arranged to transmit to the latter the draft strain producedby back pull on the part of the plow in opposition to the draft of theteam on the evener.

2. In a ditching and grading machine, a wheeled body-frame; an evener;asuspended plow-beam provided with a plow; and a draftchain attached toand connecting the plowbeam with the evener and having as an attachingconnection therewith a bearing engaging the evener at a point forward ofthe evener-pivot.

8. I11 a ditching and grading machine, a wheeled body-frame; a suspendedplow-beam provided with a plow a transverselyarranged stay-bar havingarticulated connections with the body-frame and the plow-beam, itsconnection with the plow-beam being adapted for up and down adjustmentthereon; and a draft-chain by which the plow is drawn attached to themachine forward of the stay-bar and extending back to and engaging thestaybar.

4. In a ditching and grading machine, a wheeled body-frame a suspendedplow-beam providedwith aplow; atransversely-arranged stay-bar havingarticulated connections with the body-frame and the plow-beam; and adraft-chain attached to the plow-beam in rear of the stay-bar and alsoconnected with the machine at a point forward of the stay-bar, theattaching connection between the draft-' chain and the plow-beambeingadapted and arranged for up-and-down adjustment inde-l j pendently ofthe plow-beam,and the star-bar being engaged by the draft-chain betweenthe attached end portions of the latter. 7

5. In a ditching and grading machine, a wheeled body-frame; a suspendedplow-beam provided with a plow; a transversely-arranged stay-bar havingarticulated connections with the body-frame and the plow-beam; and adraft chain attached to the plow -beam in rear of the stay-bar and alsoheld upon the machine at a point forward of the stay-bar, the attachingconnection between the draft chain and the plow'beain being adapted andarranged for up-and-down adjustment independently of ,the plow-beam, andthe draftchain being at a point forward of its connec tion with theplow-beam in engagement with the stay-bar by a shifting connectionpermitv ting the chain to shift laterally and independent of thestay-bar and allowing the stay-bar to swing laterally and independentlyof the chain. by one or more idler-rolls V, having tapered wheeledbody-frame; a suspended plow-beam 6. In a grading and ditching machine,a

provided with a plow; a draft-ch ain connected with the plow-beam; and atransversely-arranged stay-bar having jointed connections with thebody-frame and the plow-bea1n, and" extending through a link of thedraft-chain, its jointed connection with the plow-beam being arrangedfor upand down adjustment thereon.

7. In a ditching and grading machine, a

wheeled body-frame; a suspended plow-beam provided with a plow 5 anevener; and a draftchain by which the plow is drawn, the forward end ofthe draft-chain being formed by a link extending under the evener andhaving a rounded bearing portion which engages the evener at a point infront of the evenerpivot.

8. In a ditching and grading machine, a wheeled body-frame a suspendedplow-beam :provided with aplow; and a pair of trans- :versely-arrangedstay-barshaving articulated connections with the bodyframe and theplow-beam, the rear one of these stay-bars being adapted forlongitudinal extension and contraction and to such end formed by a barhaving a longitudinally-adjustable connection with a guide-socket whichis hinged at one end upon the main frame; and a device for locking thebar to said guide-socket.

9. In a ditching and grading machine, a wheeled body-frame having aplatform; a

suspended plow-beam provided with a plow;

a pair of transversely-arranged stay-bars having articulated connectionswith the bodyframe and the plow-beam and means for laterally andadjustably tilting the plow-beam,

comprising a lever arranged within reach of an attendant upon theplatform, and powertransmitting connection between the lever 1 and theplow-beam at a point higher than the point of connection between theplow-beam and the rear stay-bar.

10. In a ditching and grading machine, a

wheeled body-frame a suspended plow-beam provided with a plow; astay-bar having an articulated connection with the body-frame and theplow-beam; a lever supported upon the body-frame; connecting rods orbars respectively connected with the plow-beam and the lever byarticulated connections, and a connectionbetween the connecting rods orbars engaging the stay-bar and arranged to shift along the same when thelever is actuated.

11. In a ditching and grading machine, a

wheeled body-frame; a suspended plow-beam provided with a plow; alaterally swinging bracket hinged to the plowbeam; atransversely-arranged stay-bar pivotally attached to saidlaterally-swingin g bracket and having a pivotal connection with thebody-frame; a

lever supported on the body-frame; and a power-transmitting devicehaving pivotal connections with the lever and the laterallyswingingbracket, its connection with the latter being above the point at whichthe staybar is attached thereto[ 12. In a ditching and grading machine,a wheeled body-frame a suspended plow-beam provided with a plow; alaterally-swinging bracket hinged to the plow-beam; atransversely-arranged stay-bar pivotally attached to the lower portionof the laterally-swinging bracket and having a pivotal connection withthe body-frame; a swinging push-and-pull device extending transverselyto the length of the plow-beam and pivotally connected with the upperportion of the laterally-swinging bracket; and means for adj ustablyreciprocating the push-and-pull device.

13. In a ditching and grading machine, a Wheeled body-frame; a suspendedplow-beam provided with a plow; a laterally-swinging bracket hinged tothe plow-beam; a transversely-arranged stay-bar pivotally attached tothe laterally-swinging bracket and pivotally connected with thebody-frame; connecting rods or bars having shifting pivotal connectionwith the stay-bar, one of such connecting bars or rods being pivotallyconnected with the laterally-swinging bracket at a point above theconnection of the stay-bar therewith; and a device for operating theconnecting rods or bars.

14. In a ditching and grading machine, a wheeled body-frame; a suspendedplow-beam provided with a plow; a laterally-swinging bracket hinged tothe plow-beam; a transversely-arranged stay-bar pivoted at one end tothe laterally-swinging bracket and having its opposite end pivotallyconnected with the body-frame; a lever supported upon the bodyframe; aslide arranged upon the stay-bar; and connecting rod s or bars pivotallyattached to the lever and laterally-swinging bracket and incliningdownwardly to the slide and pivotally attached theretol 15. In aditching and gradin machine, a carriage provided with a plow and atransversely arranged elevating conveyer constructed with an. endlesssoil-carrying belt; and a belt-cleaning device comprising an endlessflexible carrier trained over rotary supports and arranged with itsupper leaf between the upper and lower leaves of the endlesssoil-conveying belt of the elevating-conveyer and transverse to thelength thereof.

16. In a ditching and grading machine, a carriage provided with a plowand a transversely arranged elevating conveyer constructed with anendless soilcarrying belt; and a belt-cleaning device comprising anendless flexible carrier trained over rotary supports and arranged withits upper leaf between the upper and lower leaves of the soilcarryingbelt and transversely thereto, its lower leaf being arranged to sagbelow the lower leaf of the soil-carrying belt, and said endlessflexible carrier being provided with projecting arms or blades whichsuccessively engage the ground-when the machine is in operation andthereby induce travel on the part of the endless flexible carrier towhich they are secured.

17. In a ditching and grading machine, a carriage provided with a plowand a transversely-arranged elevating-conveyer constructed with anendless soil-carrying belt; and a belt-cleaning device comprising anendless flexible carrier-belt provided with blades or shovels andarranged transversely to the endless soil-carrying belt with its upperleaf between the upper and lower leaves of such soil-carrying belt; anda scraper arranged to clean adhering soil from the under side of theupper leaf of the endless soil-carrying belt and deflect such soil ontothe transverse endless flexible carrier-belt.

1 8. In a ditching and grading machine, a carriage provided with a plowand a transversely-arranged elevatingconveyer constructed with anendless soil-carrying belt; and a belt-cleaning device comprising anendless flexible carrier-belt arranged transverse to the endlesssoil-carrying belt and trained over rotary supports, the upper leaf ofthe flexible carrier-belt being between the upper and lower leaves ofthe soil-carrying belt; a lower end roll for the endless soilcarryingbelt; and a scraper arranged to scrape said roll and deflect thematerial scraped therefrom onto the transverse flexible carrier-belt.

19. In a ditching and grading machine, a carriage provided with a plowand a transversel y arranged elevating conveyer constructed with anendless soilcarrying belt;

I and a belt-cleaning device comprising a shelf arranged transverse tothe length of the endless soil-carrying belt and supported between theupper and lower leaves thereof, and an endless flexible carrier trainedover rotary supports and having its upper leaf arranged to traverse thesaid shelf.

20. In a ditching and grading machine, a carriage provided with a plowand a transversely arranged elevating conveyer constructed with anendless, flexible soil-carrying belt; and idler-rolls supported betweenthe leaves of the endless, flexible soil-carrying belt in position todepress the lower leaf of such belt toward its edges and therebydownwardly incline'its marginal portions.

21. In a grading and ditching machine, a carriage provided with a plow atransverselyarranged elevating-conveyer, and transversely-arrangedstay-bars having articulated connections with the body-frame and theplow, and having its body-frame constructed at one side with standards28, 34, horizontal sill portions secured to and connecting together thestandards; a vertical bar 39 secured alongside one of the standards anda brace-bar 43 connecting together the lower ends of the standards andsecured to the bar 39, the standards being set apart to afford space forthe elevating-conveyer, and the stay-bars being respectively connectedwith one standard and with bearings, one on the lower end of bar 39 andthe other on the brace 42 and the stand- 23. In a ditching and gradingmachine of ard 3-1.

such chains or cables comprising rotary sh aft 56 provided with a sheave53 and a Worm-Wheel 54, a worm 55 engaging the worm-wheel; and

a bearing 57 supporting the said shaft and in I turn supported upon astandard on the bodyframe of the carriage.

l the class described, the elevatingconveyer comprising an endless belt,one or inoretapered rolls V supporting the leaf of the endless belt, androlls T supported to revolve about inclined axis and arranged to depressopposite marginal portions of the lower leaf of the endless belt.

THOMAS J. GRAY.

Witnesses:

CHARLES G. PAGE,

ELIZABETH BURKE.

